The exceptionally talented Jazz artist George Benson and Al Jurreau has released their CD entitled Givin' It Up. I am very confident and happy to announce that I believe George Benson and Al Jurreau fans, and Jazz fans alike will be pleased with this one. With the release of Givin' It Up George Benson and Al Jurreau's artistic excellence is on full display as Benson and Jurreau has once again delivered a brilliant collection of tracks that could very well be their best work to date.



It's a rare day indeed that I get a CD from an artist that I can truthfully say does not have a bad track in the bunch. I'm more than happy to announce that's exactly what I must say about this one. There simply isn't a bad one in the bunch. No fillers here at all, with each song standing tall on it's own.

Givin' It Up is a nicely varied, mix of 13 tracks that are very well written songs by this clearly talented artist. Most of the songs display a lot of the kind emotion that makes for a really great listen. Seemingly drawing from what I can only imagine are their own real life experiences. At different points touching on the most real emotions like love, heartbreak, pain, failed relationships and unattainable romance. They're all here.

Overall Givin' It Up is outstanding from beginning to end. One of those CDs that after a few listens the songs are just etched into your memory. A must have for the Jazz fan. Really sensational from beginning to end.

While this entire album is really very good the truly standout tunes are track 3 - Long Come Tutu, track 4 - God Bless The Child, and track 10 - Every Time You Go Away.

My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 13 - Bring It On Home To Me. Wow!

Givin' It Up Release Notes:

George Benson and Al Jurreau originally released Givin' It Up on Oct 24, 2006 on the Concord Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Breezin' 2. Morning 3. Long Come Tutu - (featuring Herbie Hancock) 4. God Bless The Child - (with Jill Scott) 5. Summer Breeze 6. All I Am 7. Ordinary People 8. Let It Rain - (with Patti Austin) 9. Givin' It Up For Love 10. Every Time You Go Away 11. Four 12. Don't Start No Schtuff 13. Bring It On Home To Me - (with Paul McCartney)

Personnel include: George Benson (vocals, guitar); Al Jarreau (vocals); Jill Scott, Patti Austin, Paul McCartney (vocals); Marion Meadows (saxophone); Chris Botti (trumpet); Herbie Hancock (piano); Patrice Rushen (keyboards); Marcus Miller, Stanley Clarke (bass guitar); Michael White (drums); Paulinho Da Costa (percussion). Recording information: Henson Studios, Hollywood, CA (2005).